Cotton-cultivator



(No Model.)

C. N. HUTCHINS.

COTTON GULTIVATOR.

.fittorn UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES NELSON HUTCHINS, OF DUPREE, ASSIGNOR OF ONE'THIRD 'IO PHILIP H. GERHARD, OF AUSTIN, TEXAS.

.COTTON-CULTIVATOR.

PEICIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N0. 365,073, dated June 21, 1887.

Application led August 25, 1886. Renewed May 11, 1887. Serial No. 237,842. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom, t may concern:

Be it known that I, GHARLEs NELSON HUTCHINS, of Dupree, in the county of Hays and State of Texas, haveinvented certain Improvements in Cotton-Cultivators, of which the following is a specification. I

My invention relates to thatv class of machines commonly known as cotton-cultivators or cotton-choppers, 7 in which the eultivator-blades are attached to a horizontal shaft and arranged to revolve in a vertical direction; and itconsistsin thepeeuliarconstruction and arrangement of parts hereinafter specified.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l represents a top plan view of my machine, the drivers seat being shown in dotted lilies. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal section of the machine on the line .r Fig. 3 is a rear elevation of the bearing for the rotary shaft and the adjacent parts. Fig. 4 is a bottom plan view of the device for operating the rotary shaft- A In the drawings, A represents an axle mounted at its ends in two ground-wheels, B, and bolted firmly to the rear ends of two forwardly-extending converging bars, C, which form a draft-pole or tongue. At a suitable point in frontvof the axle a cross-bar, D, is bolted firmly to the bars C, and provided with depending arms orbrackels, to the lower end of which are attached the rearwardlyextending beams or d rag-bars E, each provided with two shovel-carrying standards, F. The joints by which the drag-bars are connected to the frame are similar to those in common use in cnltivators, and are adapted to permit the rear ends of the drag-bars to move both vertically and horizontally. In themiddle of the frame, in rear of the axle, there is mounted a drivers seat, G, and on each side of theframe, in convenient reach of the driver, there is a handlever, H, connected by a rod or chain to the adjacent drag-bar, whereby the bars may be raised and lowered at will. The drag-bars are in such relation to the drivers seat that he may control their lateral movement by placing his feet thereon.

The foregoing parts are constructed and orn ganized in substantially the same manner as in the straddle-row cultivators now in use, and they are not claimed as of my inventlon.

I bolt to the under side of the frame, at the forward end, a plate or casting, I, provided with bearings, which support the two shafts J and K, connected by a universaljoint, L.' The shaft .I lies parallel with the axle of the machine, and carries at its outer end a sprocket wheel, M, driven by a chain, N, from a wheel or ring, Oy secured for the purpose to the inner side of one of the ground-wheels. The secondary shaft K extends inward in a direction oblique to the axle, and terminates at thc middle of the machine at a point considerably below the axle, and at its rear end it is connected by a universal joint, O', to a horizontal shaft, P, provided with adjustable arms Q, carrying at their outer ends a blade, R. The rear end of the shaft P is sustained in a box or bearing, S, connected by a universal joint to a standard, T, projecting downward from a bar, U, extending from one ofthe draz-bars to the other and pivoted therein, as shown. By means of the universal joints and wheels a rapid rotary motion is imparted to the shaft P and its blade R, the latter being thus caused to act upon the soil between the paths traversed by the shovels. Owing to the fact that the rear end of the shaftPis supported through the intermediate devices from the drag-bar, the shaft and its cutter will follow both the lateral and vertical movements of the dragbars and shovel. This arrangement enables the cutter to oecupy a constant relation to the shovels, so that thelatter may be moved laterally as required to follow the line of the plants. By mounting the rear end ofthe shaft I? in the box jointed to the standard it isfirmly support-ed, but prevented from binding or cramping in consequence of its lateral and vertical motion.

In the drawings I have represented the box S as supported by horizontal journals a in a forked arm, b, having a vertical spindle, c, mounted inV the bracket T; but any other form of universal joint adapted for the purpose may be substituted.

The joint O serves the twofold purpose of supporting the forward end of the shaft P and of imparting the rotary motion thereto, and

IOO

this while permitting the rear end of the shaft to move freely in all directions.

It will be observed that the parts to which my invention relates are of such character that they may be applied to existing machinery without necessitating changeor alteration therein in any other respect.

I am aware that cultivators have been constructed with horizontal rotary shafts pro` vided with blades or cutters, and this I do not broadly claim, my invention residing in the particular combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter recited.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- ,l f

1. In a cotton-chopper, the combination of the wheeled frame, the two laterally and vertically movable drag-bars jointed thereto, and each provided with shovels, the horizontal rotary shaft P,` lying between the drag-bars and provided with a blade, R, arranged to revolve between the shovels of the respective beams, the transverse shaft J, mounted on the frame and connected by driving devices with the ground-wheel, and the-intermediate shaft, K,

connected tothe shafts J and P by universal joints, as described.

2. In a cotton-chopper, the combination of the following members: the wheeled main frame, two drag-bars jointed to vsaid frame to swing verticallyr and laterally, a horizontal shaft provided with a blade or cutter, R, arranged to revolve and act upon the earth between the shovels ofthe respective beams, a cross-bar connecting the beams and provided with a swiveled bearing for the rear end of the rotary shaft, a driving-shaft, J K, mounted in fixed bearings on the frame and jointedat its rear end to the shaft P, and the driving-gear connecting said shaft I with the ground-wheel,

A CHAS. NELSONYHUTCHYINS.

itnesses: v i L. W. FRANKs,

JON. N. GoFoRTH. 

